Chocolate Hanukkah Coins for Adults

Hanukkah gelt for grown-ups might be more welcome in the form of large bills, not spare change or gold foil-wrapped candy. But consider this sophisticated option for those who gamble on the dreidel spin: new Veruca chocolate disks dusted with gold or silver and embossed with the design of Judean coins that date from around 40 B.C. The brainchild of Heather Johnston, a Chicago medical professor and pediatrician turned chocolatier, the coins show a menorah and a Greek inscription that refers to Antigonus, who ruled Judea for three years. He was a descendant of Simon Maccabaeus, a brother of Judas Maccabaeus who led the revolt that resulted in the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem and the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, which starts this year at sundown on Dec. 8.

Veruca Hanukkah Gelt comes in dark chocolate with sea salt, espresso or cacao nibs, and milk chocolate, plain or with nibs. Boxes of 18 pieces are $16 from verucachocolates.com.

A version of this brief appears in print on November 28, 2012, on Page D3 of the New York edition with the headline: Hanukkah Coins for Adults. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe